Finding Forgiveness
But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Luke 23:40-42
The due reward for our deeds would be to hang on one of the crosses that Good Friday, smitten, stricken, afflicted, and forsaken by almighty God. In his final moments in this vale of tears, a man hung agonizingly on a cross, paying his debt to society. Scripture tells us that this man was a thief but we know little else about his life up to that moment. However, we are told of the most important day in his life—the very first day of it!
There on the cross, he was at the side of his Savior. Nearly everyone there scorned the innocent Man who suffered next to him. But there was something different about Him: He was innocent. Hearing the other guilty man on the cross take part in mocking Jesus, the thief rebuked him. He told him that they were getting what they deserved. Jesus, on the other hand, was innocent.
In his final moments of this life, the thief made his request to the King: “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus heard him and did not condemn him. We know him as the “thief on the cross.” Jesus knew him as a repentant believer. He told him with the utmost certainty, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” The man was forgiven. He was forgiven, not because he chose the right words at the right time. It was not because he made the shot right before the buzzer. He was saved because his faith was solely in Jesus, who alone could forgive him. That day, by grace through faith, he enjoyed Paradise.
When on my poor and burdened heart
My sins lie heavily,
Thy pardon speak, new peace impart;
Dear Lord, remember me.
When in the solemn hour of death
I wait Thy just decree,
Be this the prayer of my last breath:
Dear Lord, remember me.
The Lutheran Hymnal 515